Taking Pictures of the Sidewalk
Part I: HELLO DOLLY It was close enough that I could ride my bike from home. On the list of pros for a part-time job at Second City, this was the topper. The pay wasn't great and the hours could be better, but for someone new to the city the location was attractive, both practically and mythically. When I won the job I took it as a sign and immediately quit the full time ocean mopping gig I had across town. On a sunny Los Angeles morning I loaded my backpack-toting body onto my bike and headed North passed apartment buildings and several small movie and television studios. On the map I had printed out I had overlooked a street that bore a resemblance to my last name and was amused when I found Schrader Street on my zig-zagging path. Ten minutes from home, I rounded the corner off of Schrader, slid backward off the seat of my ten speed and - standing a foot on the lower pedal - coasted down the sidewalk. When I came to a stop my running shoe alighted on a pink marble star surrou...